Blog #3: The Relationship between Food and Culture

 I woke up this morning thinking about the deeply rooted connection between culture and food. Have you ever noticed how the colors of food reflect the colors of countries traditional garb, the shapes sometimes mimic architecture and the tastes almost mirror the temperament of the people? Drink the kool-aid with me for a moment.

Indian food is filled with colorful spices from the bold, hand staining orange of tumeric to the deep, rich reds of chilis and of course the rainbow of colors found in lentils (dals) from green to mustard yellow. Now, imagine an Indian bride, if you will. Her sari is the deepest red, he braid could be adorned with bright orange marigolds and the gold she wears is the polished, dazzling version of mustard. There’s fire in these spices, there’s fire at the wedding, and there’s fire in the couples souls. I don’t think it’s just by chance that Indians can sometimes be known for the flame in their hearts and the heat in their personalities! Now, let’s take this a step further and say...what if an opposite type of food could have a cooling effect on a person’s personality? Balance out that inner heat? If one is looking to balance their energy, could food be taken into consideration and not just for the purpose of diet?

Let’s examine the Japanese culture for a moment. I had the distinct pleasure of spending 6 months sailing around Japan and stepping foot in 30 different cities during that time. I’ve never been to a cleaner, more polite, highly functioning, super organized place in my life. I’ve also never experienced the severe culture shock I had when returning to Fresno via LA after that amazing moment in time. It actually makes you wonder, if a country is able to exist in such harmony and bliss, why can’t others? It’s achievable! No trash on the streets! No fights at outdoor festivals! No screaming or yelling in public! And the true beauty of it is, it doesn’t feel put on or fake. These people are genuine. The whole experience put a stamp on my heart like no other place I’ve ever visited and I can’t stress enough, if it’s not on your bucket list to visit this Island Nation, add it NOW.

Japanese food is the best when it’s simple. Traditional sushi (sushi rice, wasabi and a piece of melt-in-your-mouth, raw fish), kobe beef (salted and grilled) and ramen (pork/chicken broth, wheat based noodles, shoyu and a boiled egg) are just a few of my favorites that come to mind. There aren’t a lot of bells and whistles. No pomp and circumstance. Just really great, high quality ingredients that come together in perfect harmony. Simple and delicious. The sushi there feels clean in your body...just like the pristine streets and shops and villages. There’s a simplicity about the place and the people (and by this, I do not mean an ignorance of any kind) that’s calming to the soul and the food has the same effect on your body. Nothing too shocking. Nothing that will set your tongue a blaze. Even the colors of the food are more subdued, like the old styles of pottery in earthenware, using a palette of earth tones.

Now, what if someone who has a predominantly Japanese diet feels like they’d like to shake things up a bit? Maybe a traditional Indian dinner could do the trick! Or how about trying to put the fire out a little for a person who’s diet is mostly Indian food by eating the calming ocean with some tradtional sushi? I invite you try this with me. Or, at least start to notice these profoundly deep paralells between food and culture. Which country is on the menu tonight?